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Council Votes to Put Essential Services Measure on Ballot

Visalia voters will vote this November on whether they want to increase financial support for police, fire, road maintenance and other essential city services. If enacted by Visalia voters, the measure will implement a ½ cent sales tax to maintain public safety services, address homelessness and repair streets and roads.

Citing polling that indicated 72% of Visalians supported this type of measure, Council discussed the measure in length, listened to public comments that addressed transparency and the need for such a measure before casting the 5-0 vote.

The State of California has shifted many programs back to local cities like Visalia without the funds necessary to provide the services local residents need.  In fact, over the last five years, Sacramento has taken more than $40,000,000 from the City of Visalia. 

If enacted, the Visalia Essential City Services Protection Measure will provide the City of Visalia with a reliable, ongoing source of funding that is locally controlled, involves citizen oversight and by law cannot be taken by Sacramento.

If approved by voters, funding generated by the measure will help address Visalia’s essential city services, including public safety. Over the last decade calls to 911 have risen dramatically – just last year, police responded to 97,000 calls alone.  Due to Sacramento’s efforts to reduce the State’s prison overcrowding problem, almost 1,400 new parolees have been released into Tulare County, and more officers must be added on our streets.

Additional priorities identified by Visalians that the measure addresses include:

  • Maintaining 911 emergency, police patrols and fire response times
  • Maintaining gang prevention efforts
  • Attracting businesses and jobs
  • Addressing homelessness
  • Maintaining local streets and infrastructure
For more information on the Visalia Essential City Services Protection Measure, visit www.visalia.city/youressentialservices, email [email protected] or call City of Visalia Administration at 713-4300.

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A Charge & Go at New Downtown eVgo Car Chargers

Visalia’s newest electric car stations are up and charging in downtown at the East Acequia Parking Structure. Strategically placed across the street from the Visalia Convention Center, there is one handicap accessible Level 2 charger on the structure’s first floor and two fast chargers and one Level 2 chargers on the second floor.

The fast chargers can charge your average electric car completely in 30 minutes, while Level 2 chargers can get you back on the road in approximately four hours. Electric car owners can purchase a monthly plan through NRG eVgo, or use a credit card on-site for a $4.95 fixed session fee plus 20 cents per minute.

In an agreement approved by City Council with private company NRG eVgo in late 2015, the installation and operation of the chargers come at no cost to the City. The average electric car can drive approximately 80 miles before needing a recharge, perfect for to and from work and day to day life.

A Nissan Leaf was recently the first vehicle to charge at the new units, and thanks to the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Grant the City received from the California Air Resources Board, more charging stations will be coming to downtown. The Natural Resource Conservation Division is working on installing additional charging stations, as they are a part of the City’s Climate Action Plan, which includes supporting increased use by the public of electric vehicles.

For the locations of additional charging stations throughout Visalia, download the official NRG eVgo app Plugshare, visit www.plugshare.com.

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Citizens Sought for Committees & Commissions

Be a voice of Visalia! The City of Visalia is looking for local citizens with an interest in helping our community to apply to serve on one of our committees or commissions.

Each commission and committee is comprised of individuals with a passion to serve their neighbors and to help make Visalia one of which that we can all be proud. Currently, there are positions available on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee, the Environmental Committee, the Historic Preservation Committee, the Parks & Recreation Commission, the Transit Advisory Committee and the Waterways and Trails Committee.

While there are numerous vacancies at this time, the City Clerk’s Office is continually accepting applications. Applications are kept on file for a period up to two-years. As vacancies occur applications are submitted to the respective Committees for interviews & recommendation then to the Citizens Advisory Committee for final review, final selections are then presented to the Visalia City Council for approval. Those appointed can serve up to three two-year terms for Committees or four two-year terms for Commissions.

To download an application, visit Committees and Commissions and while you're there, view the informational handbook and current appointment list. For more information or questions, contact the City Clerk’s Office at [email protected] or (559) 713-4512.

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This & That

  • As part of the City’s Traffic Signal Improvement project, a road closure is scheduled on Douglas, west of Ben Maddox through August 5th at 5 p.m. This closure will shift traffic to the two east lanes on Ben Maddox with one lane of travel heading north and one heading south.

  • Congratulations to the City's hard working Finance Department! The Government Finance Officers Association awarded the City of Visalia a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The certificate is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.
  • Tickets are on sale now for RFA 42: Zach “Juice” Juusola versus Christos “The Spartan” Giagos at the Visalia Convention Center. Broadcasting live on AXZ TV, you can see the action in-person on Friday, August 19th as doors open at 4:30 p.m. Get your tickets before they sell out at the Visalia Convention Center Box Office or online at www.visaliatix.com.

  • Thank goodness for “oily” streets! The work being done on streets throughout Visalia is called the Reclamite Seal Project, and it's a cost saving measure that is extending the life of your streets. The process extends the life of new pavement and serves as corrective maintenance on deteriorated pavement. Learn more about the Reclamite Seal Project on the City's website.

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Parks & Recreation Launches 50 VISA Club
 
Series of events kicks off September 10th
 
 
 
 
 
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Upcoming Events
 
 
Visalia Senior Games Sponsorship Committee Meeting
Thursday, August 4th @ 5:30 p.m.
 
Flag Football Registration Deadline
Friday, August 5th
 
Disability Advocacy Committee - CAPER Report Review
Monday, August 8th
 
Planning Commission Meeting
Monday, August 8th
 
Visalia Senior Games Sports Committee Meeting
Thursday, August 11th
 
 
 
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You can now self-subscribe to receive issues of Inside City Hall, click here. For more information, contact Communications Manager Allison M. Lambert at [email protected] or (559) 713-4535.

City of Visalia Administration
220 N. Santa Fe St.
Visalia, CA 93292
T. (559) 713-4535